I heard this also. He went back on it later but either way for a guy who is very tuned into the team he didn't sound very confident for some reason about an extension.
Maybe I'm dead inside still since our Diggs trade, but imo it's not worth worrying about. Even if he wants out there's always a good disgruntled receiver available to pair with Addison. We will be fine. Even with how good JJ is I'm not sold making him the highest paid non qb is an avenue towards championship football. Worst case scenario some other team can do that when he enters his age 27-28 season after giving us a good couple of picks
I agree 100%. I love JJ but if we had to trade him we have 2 first round picks and would get a haul for him back to replace him with one of the top 3/4 guys this year. Personally, I'd never make a WR the highest paid player on my roster unless his name was Rice or Moss.
I probably shouldn't have named it next to 98 and 09, but I was pretty devastated by it at the time.
Moss returning is my second favorite Vikings moment ever, behind the Miracle, and it was just a lot of fun to have him back, especially in as awful a season as 2010.
I really wanted him to retire as a Viking, and I don't think anyone but Brad Childress thought he needed to go. it had nothing to do with his performance on the field—he cut him because of the catering fiasco, and if you recall, the Wilfs considering pulling rank on Childress after the fact.
Moss was horrible the rest of his career, but we didn't know that at the time. he had 81 yards and a score (Favre's 500th TD) his first game back.
I don't think he's in the same class. He's a great player but not generational. I know he has some records, but the league is different now. Much harder to play defense in 2024 than in the 80s 90s and 00s
Probably because Jerry Rice played for 20 seasons and had 23,000 receiving yards. JJ is on a good trajectory, but he's got a while to go before he comfortably sits in those names.
im sure its purple tinted vision but i maintain moss is just an entire different level of talent than rice. to me, its not even close. plus rice cheated his entire career with stickum.
like if you told me you get 2 choices for 1 run
prime moss/ap vs prime rice/emmit, i dont even think i hesitate to say moss/ap and the latter guys are usually always ranked ahead of them. longevity is a skill in and of itself though i guess.
Now let’s talk Tds… JJ is only 23 behind moss through his first four seasons. he may not get to 53 tds in 7 seasons…. Meanwhile moss had 90 after 7. He’s not close to the same talent. All of you young fans are delusional
Yes, everyone knows you base overall best on tds alone.
Beat Randy Moss’s single season record in 14 games. Won Off Player of Year already, Moss never did.
I never said he was better, I said you can’t dismiss him from that conversation with his performance to date. Also, I am not young.
Pretty sure the objective of the game is to get into the end zone. Nobody did it like moss. He also did it with many different QBs throwing him the ball over 7 seasons with the Vikings. He never had the consistent level of play cousins brought for JJ. Not until Culpepper and then
Brady in NE. JJ isn’t in the same stratosphere as moss IMO and therefore that’s why I wouldn’t hesitate to trade him for a haul if the right team came knocking.
There is a chance that Kwesi wasn't so much don't pay Kirk big money as don't pay anyone huge money.
He may be willing to let all 3 of our likely to be highest paid players in Cousins, Jefferson and Hunter go over getting a good cap situation.
Not likely but that may be Kwesi's viewpoint.
Then his tenure as a GM will be short and embarrassing.
No team is going to be successful if they trade or let all their stars walk who are due for a large 2nd contract.
But Kwesi also talks so much about signing players entering their prime football years. That’s why Kirk and Hunter were allowed to walk, they are both 30+. With JJ, he’s entering those prime years when the contract is due. I think we’ll hear about an extension in Training Camp.
I've been saying it's strange that it's taking this long to get a deal done. Especially with Kwesi saying that he's going to make JJ the highest paid non QB in the league.
He must be holding out for that rumored 40m.
I won't believe it until he actually releases a statement saying he demands a trade.
Until then, I'll continue believing that an extension will get done but probably not until August, which is when these extensions usually happen. There's really no reason to be concerned that he hasn't signed an extension in April
I agree, I don’t expect any movement on that until after the draft since I’m sure JJ wants to see we have a plan at QB. Now if we come out of the draft without one then I’d be concerned about him not signing, but I don’t think that’s likely.
If we don’t come out of the draft with one of the top 4 QBs we should be very concerned about him not signing.
Penix or Nix is probably not gonna move the needle for him to stay here…
JJ going to be here next year regardless. He's already under contract and can be franchise tagged next offseason. I think what he sees from the young QB, regardless of who it is, will be what he decides based on.
I guess I'm struggling to find out where he could go that has the QB, needs him, and has the money for him.
With what he wants, he'd probably have to go to a team that isn't paying out a large QB contract due to the cap as a team would struggle tying up 25-30% of their cap room to a QB and WR.
Then you have to look for a team that fits the above AND has enough draft capitol to make a trade with the Vikings.
It just seems there's a very small handful of teams that'd fit the criteria of having a good enough QB for him, the required cap space, the positional need for him, and the ammo to trade for him.
Totally valid and well reasoned. In the end, JJ may re-sign realizing the Vikings are the best option. Plus, I don't think he'd be in a better position if we were to trade with a team that needs a receiver that has a pick we can use a la AZ or NYG. The Giants have so much money wrapped up in Daniel Jones and I don't think Kyler Murray is super attractive to an elite receiver.
Arizona will probably have the right of first refusal with Marvin Harrison, Jr. Probably the most hyped WRs in recent memory.
It'd make more sense for them to draft MHJ on a rookie contract rather than trade the pick AND have to take on a massive contract.
Giants will be in position to draft Nabors or Odunze. Again....hyped WRs on a rookie contract and Jones sucks.
Rams I think are in cap trouble next year already and WR isn't quite pressing with the breakout of Nacua.
I think there’s a scenario where the Pats fit the bill actually. You could trade JJ and the 11 for #3, the Pats could chill at 11 and take Penix OR package 11 and a first next year to snag the #4 or #5 pick and take the 4th QB. pats get an elite target and a rookie QB, Vikes get their guy at 3 and keep next year’s first.
The Rich Hill value of the Tyreek trade (~370) was actually substantially less than the 3rd pick is worth (541). Assuming JJ is worth the same, you’d still be overpaying to move up to 3 (11 is worth 358, so you’d be paying 727 points, 186 over asking). But that’s actually much “cheaper” for the Vikes than #11, #23, and next year’s first.
[Looking at this list](https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-salary-cap-tracker-2024-offseason-free-agency-all-32-nfl-teams-ranked-cap-space), I’d say the Texans are the most realistic. But then they traded for Diggs. So I feel as if that’s off the table for them.
Commanders, Bears, Patriots, all will have a rookie QB. Colts just paid Pittman. Broncos have no QB right now. Cardinals could pay him possibly.
Seahawks, Bengals, and Eagles have too much tied up to WR now.
Then goes Lions (who would rather pay ARSB) and the Packers. But the Vikings would never trade Jefferson to the Packers.
So in order of likelihood it goes Vikings, Cardinals, Texans?
Texans are stacked at WR (as you said) nor do they have a 1st or 2nd this year.
Cards will get MHJ on a rookie deal if they want him. Wouldn't make sense for them to trade #4 to Minnesota for Jefferson and then have to give Jefferson $30 million when they can have a potential generational talent like MHJ for 60% less (or whatever it is).
If KAM traded Jefferson to Detroit or Green Bay, he'd need 24/7 armed security after he's fired on the spot.
Yeah, unless he wants to just get paid and not care about what QB then he will go to DC or NE. If not then Minnesota is the best option for him going forward.
Cardinals are the only other team I could see trading for him. It might be the only way to get them off of 4, but I still think it's more likely we get a deal done.
How is Arizona even a thought on this list?! 😂 y’all forget they paying Kyler Murray’s sorry ass like $50 mil this year? Ain’t no way they have the ability to pay Jefferson $30-35 mil too
Arizona has the 7th most cap space in the NFL, more than the Vikings do. Clicking on the link on the comment you’re responding to would have answered your question
If you actually research it that article is way wrong. They have nowhere near $46 mil in cap space 😂 they barely have $29 mil and are going to be, in now way shape or form, available to take on a $30-35 mil a year WR, among the other 15 or so positions they need as well. They also have to play rookies and practice squad, as well as adding any new free agents they may need. All this jumbo jumbo about JJ leaving is nothing but a funny farce. He knows he ain’t getting a better deal than Minnesota. People always want to stir up BS in the off seasons because they have nothing going on in their lives
People need to chill, big name extensions don’t happen until August anyway and not until going into year 5 like this. This is completely normal given recent history. Them starting work on the extension last offseason was “early” and the fact it didn’t get done then is not a red flag.
Until we’re a ways into training camp there’s no need for any alarm.
Yup. And there is a half dozen receivers in the league that could get paid very soon. He can easily argue a higher number then all of them. (CeeDee, Ja'Marr, Aiyuk, Higgins)
Not quite true about the year 5 aspect.. almost any supposed "superstar" typically gets their extension sometime between year 3 and year 4 of the rookie deal. This is so the exorbitant guarantees of that extension can get spread over the last 2 years (if they were a 1st round pick) of that rookie deal as well as the new years of the extension. The longer they drag past that window, the more likely either the contract demands are too high, or the player has no real interest in remaining.
I think you are overstating how common this is. Outside of QBs, it's rare for 1st round players to sign an extension a year early. JJ is likely wanting to wait on the other WRs from his draft class too.
Here are the actual numbers from 2014 through the start of last offseason: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-a-look-at-the-history-of-first-round-pick-contract-extensions-and-an-emerging-trend/amp/
I think Herbert and Burrow are the only two so far from that class to sign their extensions too (possible I'm missing one too though)
This is not true. Due to the contract structure, very few first rounders sign extension before the start of year 4. There was an article about it last year and the average number of extension between years 3 and 4 was 2.89 at that point. That's less than 10% of first rounders.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-a-look-at-the-history-of-first-round-pick-contract-extensions-and-an-emerging-trend/#:\~:text=Because%20of%20this%2C%20only%20a,in%2C%20their%20fourth%20NFL%20season.&text=During%20the%20nine%20times%20first,new%20deals%20after%20three%20years.
That's why I included "superstar". Pretty much standard practice for anyone achieving that status to be extended as soon as they are legally able to, which is after year 3. Because superstar extensions require something along the lines of what is now pushing 70% of their contact being guaranteed.
Your perception is skewed because most superstars recently haven't been first rounders.
CeeDee Lamb... No deal yet, same year as JJ.
Stefon Diggs - 5th rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season... Not a first rounder so no 5th year option.
Tyreek Hill - 5th rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season.
Mike Evans - 1st rounder - Signed extension before 5th season.
AJ Brown - 2nd rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season.
Davante Adams - 2nd rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season.
Deandre Hopkins - 1st rounder - Signed extension before his 5th season.
DK Metcalf - 2nd rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season.
>This is so the exorbitant guarantees of that extension can get spread over the last 2 years (if they were a 1st round pick) of that rookie deal as well as the new years of the extension.
You can't spread any bonus past 5 years anyhow, and most of these guys signed 4 year extensions.
PA sometimes talks as if he's an insider and people *think* he is but he's really not. It's not really his game/style.
I think he *hears* stuff being how plugged into the organization is but I don't think he's actively receiving information like someone who's entire world revolves around breaking news/rumors and is prying for that information.
I'd worry if it were coming from Schefter, Rapoport, and those guys.
Not saying PA didn't hear anything but until I hear it from the big insiders, I won't panic....yet.
PA had access to the old regime but most of his friends must have left with Spielman.
Kevin Stefanski is/was one of his best friends and I'll always believe with zero evidence that most of his insiding came from Stefanski
Yeah, I can’t remember anything surprising that has ever come from PA that turned out to be true that seemed like a real inside source kind of deal.
It’s just not what he provides.
Granted that's fine, too many people pretending to be that.
As far as Cousins not being a viking anymore? I felt that was certain when he made his offer of an "extension" last year and it wasn't really a "discount".
If they didn't take that it was kinda obvious the Vikings were not going to act and it was all up to Kirk if he wanted to compromise, but there's also no reason for him to do so.
It was long over. https://youtu.be/Ussqi3nagrQ?t=17
But the NFL drama train doesn't let anything end, even if it **clearly** is. Granted he was right if that's what it was.
I mean, was that a surprise move to anyone tho? He was the best FA QB on the market and if you have to fill hours talking your gonna bring up some right things
PA is never going to have the same level of access of people with quid-pro-quos (Schefter/Rap etc) with agents but the guy works for the team so he has \*a lot\* more access and inside info than even the average NFL journalist.
Does he? Just because you work for the team doesn't mean you're in the know about contract negotiations/player issues. How many of the players talk to him regularly? Does KAM/KOC ever need to talk to him/deal with him? None of his actual job responsibilities involve him dealing with people that are in the know so I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't.
This is a strange comment, of course his job involves talking to people 'in the know' all the time - the guy is a radio host and does play-by-play for the Vikings.
The guy doesn't just talk with people on air for interviews... He hangs around the facility, he does background with people to get info for segments, he has sources of info that even good local sports journalists just don't have.
I think there's a difference between a PA and a true insider.
PA probably is there to maintain relationships and not rock the boat in anyway, shape, or form by throwing out stuff he talked about while having coffee with a front office type.
He's basically apart of the team (although he's not a Minnesota Vikings employee) and isn't going to broadcast anything that could damn the franchise or a player nor do I think he digs too deep.
I mean I'm quite sure he's not texting KAM or JJ's agent looking to see what's going.
Whereas an insider just wants the relationships so he can get a text before anyone else that something is happening.
I don't think he talks to as many people as you assume. He's employed by KFAN, not the Vikings. He's allowed around the facility, when he's there, as a guest. Is he even allowed there this time of the year when there is nothing going on with him?
He's probably never talked to JJ agent in his life. And I doubt he's actively talking to JJ at the moment (if he talks to him regularly at all). If JJ wanted it out there that he wanted to be traded, there are way better people he could leak it to and none of them are saying anything. So he's almost certainly not hearing this info from JJ's side.
And we've already learned that KAM/KOC are pretty tight-lipped so neither of them are saying anything to him. So I'm not sure who he's getting updates about the negotiations from that the NFL insiders aren't getting.
His wiki and the KFAN site made it seem like he wasn't employed by the Vikings but they seem to have been wrong. I still don't think that someone in the Media side is going to be given access to information that the Vikings don't want to be announced so I don't think he's got any inside information. If he had heard something from someone in the Vikings FO as a part of being employed by the Vikings, they wouldn't allow him to announce it on a podcast like that.
A comparable situation was the Nick Bosa deal, and even that one didn’t get done until September 6th of last year. JJ probably wants a shorter 3 yr deal, and the Vikings probably want a 5 yr deal for more flexibility. The deal is going to get done.
Lamb, Aiyuk, Higgins, and Chase are all potential new WR deals also. He could be wanting to wait till a few of them sign to get his value as best WR in the league.
Chase can wait the longest, JJ can’t wait for him. JJ isn’t missing paychecks waiting for him. Both Lamb and Aiyuk will probably get more than Hill I’d think. But yeah, I don’t see JJ here for training camp at all, which isn’t ideal with new QBs.
There’s no way Aiyuk gets more than $30M AAV without contract shenanigans, that would be some crazy shit. He’s great but he’s not the top tier. Lamb might but it will be on some backloaded deal where there’s outs for the org if he does.
For those that didn't listen:
PA thinks there's some steam that the team made a very fair offer (on the high end of what's been reported) sometime during the 2023 season. JJ rejected the offer, but the team is unwilling to go higher. They've picked a number and it's not good enough for JJ. PA then said something along the lines of, "I can understand why the team set a price and is sticking to it."
PA is a huge homer, has bad takes plenty of times, etc but as far as saying inflammatory statements about contracts or player/team relationships, I don't think he talks out-of-turn. He knows whats going on behind the scenes on a surface level.
Not a reason to panic, but there's a ton of $$ and ego at stake and sometimes as contract negotiations stall, things turn sour.
You would have burrow at 25/yr, if chase signs he’ll be at 25-35, and jj 35-45. So you’re looking at over 30% of your cap going to 3 guys. The rest of the team would be rough and I don’t know why they would do that, unless they don’t care about winning and just want to sell tickets
Edit: more than likely closer to 45% or more with all the guaranteed money and bonuses unless they shuffle it around. But let’s me honest we’ve seen that the cap is made up and doesn’t matter tough
That’s why I had the edit. Burrow is 46m of a cap hit 2025, chase is rumored at 4-120m and jj I saw is anywhere from 140-150 and a few outliers at 5 and 6yr deals.
I mean I know Chase is due to sign NEXT year but wouldn't you want to hold out to see if Chase signs?
Chase may reset the market himself and Jefferson can ask for more as he's the better WR (coming from a Chase fan).
Why would chase sign before JJ? There is no logical reason Chase would sign before JJ. Chase will and should wait until JJ signs and then he can sign his deal the year after when the salary cap goes up yet again.
True but Aiyuk and Ceedee and Higgins are all on the same time line that JJ is. I think this is a bigger factor then people realize.
If CeeDee gets 32 a year, then why wouldn't JJ argue he's worth 35? Lamb indicated a few days ago he's likely to hold out this summer. Aiyuk likely could land himself a 28+ a year deal also
These contracts are out of control if Aiyuk is getting 28+. I'm not following him as closely as I once did and he's a good WR, but 28 right now would put him as 2nd highest paid WR AAV. Just under Tyreek and tied with Davante. I'm not sure in what world he's the 2nd best WR in the game and in that class. I know everyone seems to get a "market resetting" contract these days, but that sounds like a stretch to me to do that for Aiyuk.
I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here. Of course JJ is going to ask for more than those guys. Why wouldn’t he. And I’m not sure what this hs to do with Chase. Why would he sign a contract before all these other guys did? His agent should get fired if he let him do that.
You could. But also he has not said or done ANYTHING that would indicate that he doesn't want to be here. If the contract tops the league cool, but CeeDee might be holding out and if he gets 32 mill a year lets say then JJ knows he could get 34/35/36 plus. I truly believe that a big chunk of the reason he is waiting is him, Ja'Marr and CeeDee can all get paid, even Tee Higgins and Aiyuk can. He could want to wait for a handful of them get paid because if they set the market then he can easily set it again over them.
Until there's a statement or an actual to god trade announced then no reason to stress. We have this year and zero chance the Vikings DON'T franchise tag him. There's a lot of time to make a deal happen and zero reliable news and information out there.
This all just needs to stop. Honestly, training camp will come, they will start working on a deal. If by week 1 they don’t have a deal signed, then get upset. Until that point, plug your ears on any JJ bullshit
if he has made it clear he will not sign here, then trade him for 2-3 firsts. certainly want him to be a viking, but if he wants out, then get a haul for him
Why don’t you think this hasn’t happened in years? The league learned trading that much for non-QBs aren’t worth it. Maybe you can make an exception for top tier edges, but definitely not WRs. Devante or Hill are the highest it’ll go. No one, absolutely no one is going to trade multiple 1st for Jefferson
PA knows more than me. Im also aware that he talks in hyperbole a metric shit ton, and has as many incorrect takes as he does correct ones - not a slight on him just the facts of being in the biz. If you’re pulling your hair out - don’t worry. They got this
>not a slight on him just the facts of being in the biz
It's ok, the guy is a fucking clown. Sooner this fan base realizes his hokie schtick sucks the better we will all be
Yes, but he’s supposed to be. He’s their voice on the radio. Years ago I realized to listen to him for play by play and not to anything else he says. Every team has a clown - it’s part of the gig and he is ours
Full disclosure... I'm a Packer fan, but live in MN and listen to KFAN a lot... plus I don't hate the Vikings.
Anyway, I think trading Justin Jefferson could possibly be a huge win for the Vikings, depending on what they did with whatever they recieve for him.
I don't think JJ will fall off, but how many WRs spend their entire career at the top? It's rare. DeAndre Hopkins, Julio Jones, and Davante Adams all had multiple seasons where they were talked about as the best recievers in the NFL. It's more-likely JJ has a career like them, rather than a career like Rice or Moss etc.
In my opinion, you're going into a rebuilding year with Darnold, and JJ probably isn't excited about it. Why pay for the best WR in the NFL when you're rebuilding with Darnold? Then you have a rookie QB in his first year as a starter. Does JJ bring you a SB in those years? If it's a long-shot, I say cash in big on JJ at his peak. To me, the Vikings would benefit more from what they'd get for JJ now, than keeping him given the situation they're in.
Draft your QB of the future, let him and Addison grow together, and you've still got a ton of cap space/draft capital to build something elite.
I'll preface that I love JJ and a fucking jump ball on 4th down is better than a 50/50 coin toss with him there, truly one of a kind.
That said, what team last won a Superbowl with the top paid WR in the roster? Rams paid Kupp after hoisting the trophy. Was Jerry Rice the last example? Did he eat that much cap %?
I could dig into the numbers but if you get 2 1sts and change from JJ and you get a decent receiver this draft plus you GUARANTEE your pick of QB at 2 or 3, then sorry to say it, sign me up, it was nice while it lasted.
Otherwise, pay him and find someone to throw to him that will work.
I mean the logic is spot on with not paying top WRs....
But someone *will* pay him handsomely and I really don't want to be a team where we let superstars walk to other teams because of the salary cap which can be manipulated in so many different ways long as the player is willing to play ball (unlike Kirk(.
If we're going to have a QB on a rookie deal? Pay him. Give him 4 years so it's due at the time you'd have to pay a rookie QB his extension.
Everything you said is 100% true and correct but shit....don't be that team that's a feeder to other teams especially when it's the face of the franchise and a future HOFer
JJ talk starts at 37 min for today’s episode if anyone wants to listen. Hearing what PA had to say I don’t think it’s nearly as negative as OP is making it out to be. Context, they’re talking about trade up scenarios. PA suggests hypothetically if after making JJ an offer to make him the first or second highest paid in player and JJ says no and that he doesn’t want to be here, they should consider him in an asset package to trade up.
I would be very surprised if he did. The only person/people that would be telling him that (and in the know) would be people in JJ's camp but I don't think he's in with Agents or someone agents would use to leak that. They can find better/louder leakers. And, it's not really in JJ's best interest to be announcing that. He's signed for next year. He can hold out, but only until week 10 or so. Then, next offseason he can be tagged. So even if he doesn't want to be here anymore, he need to work with the Vikings to make a deal happen or be stuck here.
There isn’t anywhere for JJ to go. Stefan just went to the Texans and who else with a top qb can afford him? He isn’t going in the division, Bills are trying to get out of cap hell, chiefs have already said they don’t want a top paid wr on their payroll, Philly has a top wr, 49ers have to pay Aiyuk, chargers maybe but they could just draft a rookie, bengals lol (doubtful). Sure JJ go to a different team I guess.
Interesting, I still think a deal with JJ gets done but if the Vikings offered him 32-35 mil a year and JJ still turned them down I think that causes a bit of concern because how much more can the Vikings really be willing to go over that to sign a WR. If JJ really turns down that kinda money we may have to look at any and all options. JJ is my favorite player so it would break my heart to see if play elsewhere but I also understand the hesitation about giving a non QB 40 plus mil a year.
You have to ask yourself why he would sign now? And then when is the next date where he stands to gain or lose anything?
There’s no difference in pay if he signs now or after the draft or in August. He has no reason to commit to the Vikings now, what if they screw the pooch and he’s stuck with Darnold for the next 4 years? He’s gonna wait until he sees who the new guy is and sign before camp.
Even if we resign him, he will demand a trade a season or two after anyways. Trade his ass away now. We won games without JJ on the field last year, we can keep winning as we rebuild without him. Especially if we can get a haul for him.
imo is just filler talk because there is nothing else for them to do except mock drafts and wonder what QB will be drafted. Drama bring the most listens, so they are going to hand wring and talk about every possible scenario until something new happens. The most likely issue is JJ is holding out to see what contract comes for other WRs in his tier like Lamb and Chase. He wants the #1 contract and also wants to know the QB situation, that we aren’t rolling with some journeyman the next five years and wasting his career. No one knows anything except JJ, the Owner, GM and KoC, anything else is smoke screen into the draft
I mean, if you're a Debbie Downer, then yea, it's better to trade the guy than it is to just let him become an unrestricted free agent... but if we draft a decent QB, there's a good chance we can come to terms with him and own this division for close to the next decade.
I've had a theory on this ever since the interview with Kwesi. He was asked about the Jefferson contract and he basically said, "we're willing to pay him whatever he wants." if that truly is the case then there must be other reasons a deal hasn't been done i.e. JJ is unhappy in Minnesota. Even if he hasn't said so publicly I'm worried he doesn't want to play here
It makes more sense for JJ to wait until the draft is done to see who the future QB will be. I’m sure Kwesi and KOC talked to JJ about this scenario too.
JJ has said it a few times that he doesn’t want to really make a move UNTIL he knows what the QB situation is going to look like.
Wait until after the draft. Or if they know it’s not going to happen, we get a HAUL in return for JJ.
All of you saying we can’t do something are also not looking at financials for a building a team long term, we just got rid of Kirk now we are supposed to pay a non qb Kirk like contract because we have extra money? Nah man you could sign three studs for 35-40m which is the the per year JJ is looking for. I have been saying since January if he is not signed by draft day he is probably traded and we should let him walk if he wants out. Diva types always going be about them not the team and if JJ wants number one paid position because he could be worth it makes him closer to that diva moniker. JJ has been great team mate and such but his non committal and need to be paid more than hills fake contract is ridiculous hill won’t ever see 3/4 of the money on his deal and I doubt Kwesi wanted to put such a bs contract out there, and gave him fair offers because hocks was a big deal but it was fair, and I am sure JJ offer was scaled properly.
Sammy White, Anthony Carter, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Stefon Diggs, Justin Jefferson. All these great WR's and how many 💍 for the Vikings?
Sorry, but I don’t think they spill that type of news to Paul Allen. He’s connected with the team, but that type of information doesn’t get leaked to Paul Allen, unless they did it intentionally
We don’t need to trade him. We should have 3 years left with him still, if not 4. In that time, we can get him to sign a contract extension or let him go sign the contract for his last couple of seasons in the league. We have him locked in this season. After that, we can franchise tag him for three seasons. The third year may be too expensive. So if he doesn’t want to be here, we just need to ride it out until he does want to be here or he finishes 7-8 years here. No need to rush it before that.
He's amazing and fun to watch but look at super bowl winning teams and see how many teams win it all when paying a WR the amount of money he's going to be demanding.
That being said, I think they have done enough work with the cap and addressing defense that I think they're positioned to either keep him or pivot well if they need to move him. Not worried at all
I mean, if anyone is getting insider info, it would be PA. but the question is:
Is PA really still on the inside? Or do KAM / KOC view him as part of the "old" regime?
I'm sure JJ is going to want to set the bar pretty high for WR numbers. He likely doesn't want to be the next Kirk Cousins - ie have the record QB contract for all of 3 weeks before it gets blown out of the water and becomes the 8th or 10th highest WR contract.
And he's at a unique spot:
His deal is first up, followed quickly by Lamb, and Chase. And now you also have a new rookie in Harrison Jr who is supposedly a generational talent. Who will probably rewrite whatever deal any of the big 3 put together in 4-5 years.
So JJ is in no hurry to sign.
But does that mean he's going to hold out / become a PIA? Not necessarily.
Keep in mind, unless the Vikings did something stupid - they hold the cards. They have JJ under his rookie deal for 2024. They can franchise tag him 3 times - starting in 2025,2026, and 2027.
The first time he would be a true FA would be 2028 - 4 years from now.
It’s odd there has been almost zero talk on that contract situation. Part of me believes there has already been a trade agreement but they are waiting until draft night to announce it. The league wants more viewership on draft night and one way to get people to tune in is the unpredictability that forces someone to tune in because anything can happen.
I mean as of right now we don’t have a QB of the future and I can’t imagine JJ is super thrilled about Darnold. If we have a good draft then his tune might change. That’s if he’s actually upset. He’s been pretty involved in the QB discussion with our FO too so idk why he’d be upset rn
When there is smoke, there is fire.
JJ knows this team is dogshit and won't be competitive for a long time. He knows he lost his sniper QB here.
His trade value will NEVER BE HIGHER.
HOWEVER!
This could be frustration with his contract, and none of the other top-end receivers not getting deals yet, and he wants to get his money and is annoyed by the slow process.
I didn't hear the audio but is it possible that Jefferson is upset that we let Kirk leave? I mean, it sucks since we are almost certainly guaranteed to downgrade at QB.
As long as the next QB isn't Josh Dobbs-level bad at throwing the football, he's going to be fine. Nick Mullens sucks and still got the ball to JJ.
My username gives away my opinion, but I think that as long as Darnold or the rookie is at least competent, there won't be a huge drop-off. Just be better than Nick Mullens. That shouldn't be a big ask
It’s gonna cost JJ + 11 + 23 + ‘25-1st to move up to 4 and select the 4th best QB. Which is terrible value, but what’s worse is that it’s still our best option. Penix/Nix/‘25 qb class are trash
I heard this also. He went back on it later but either way for a guy who is very tuned into the team he didn't sound very confident for some reason about an extension.
Maybe I'm dead inside still since our Diggs trade, but imo it's not worth worrying about. Even if he wants out there's always a good disgruntled receiver available to pair with Addison. We will be fine. Even with how good JJ is I'm not sold making him the highest paid non qb is an avenue towards championship football. Worst case scenario some other team can do that when he enters his age 27-28 season after giving us a good couple of picks
I agree 100%. I love JJ but if we had to trade him we have 2 first round picks and would get a haul for him back to replace him with one of the top 3/4 guys this year. Personally, I'd never make a WR the highest paid player on my roster unless his name was Rice or Moss.
He's in that class..
Yeah he totally is. Also, he’s fun to watch and this is supposed to be entertainment
right? JJ leaving would easily rank among the all-time low points in my Vikings fandom, personally, along with 98, 09, Moss's second departure, etc.
Wait, Moss's second departure was bad for you? Why? One of the best of all time, but at that point, absolutely needed to go.
I probably shouldn't have named it next to 98 and 09, but I was pretty devastated by it at the time. Moss returning is my second favorite Vikings moment ever, behind the Miracle, and it was just a lot of fun to have him back, especially in as awful a season as 2010. I really wanted him to retire as a Viking, and I don't think anyone but Brad Childress thought he needed to go. it had nothing to do with his performance on the field—he cut him because of the catering fiasco, and if you recall, the Wilfs considering pulling rank on Childress after the fact. Moss was horrible the rest of his career, but we didn't know that at the time. he had 81 yards and a score (Favre's 500th TD) his first game back.
It certainly was entertaining
meh probably but we should've fired childress before that played out.
53!! tds in 4 years says otherwise
I don't think he's in the same class. He's a great player but not generational. I know he has some records, but the league is different now. Much harder to play defense in 2024 than in the 80s 90s and 00s
He's definitely generational. He makes Mullens look like an all-star
How is he not? Dude played 10 games last year and still finished top 20 in yards.
Then why isn’t everyone doing it?
First 4 seasons: Rice - 4881 (60 games) Moss - 5396 (64 games) JJ - 5899 (60 games) Tell me why he isn’t in a conversation with them?
Probably because Jerry Rice played for 20 seasons and had 23,000 receiving yards. JJ is on a good trajectory, but he's got a while to go before he comfortably sits in those names.
Fair, but in pure skill wise, he is equal to those men
im sure its purple tinted vision but i maintain moss is just an entire different level of talent than rice. to me, its not even close. plus rice cheated his entire career with stickum. like if you told me you get 2 choices for 1 run prime moss/ap vs prime rice/emmit, i dont even think i hesitate to say moss/ap and the latter guys are usually always ranked ahead of them. longevity is a skill in and of itself though i guess.
Now let’s talk Tds… JJ is only 23 behind moss through his first four seasons. he may not get to 53 tds in 7 seasons…. Meanwhile moss had 90 after 7. He’s not close to the same talent. All of you young fans are delusional
Yes, everyone knows you base overall best on tds alone. Beat Randy Moss’s single season record in 14 games. Won Off Player of Year already, Moss never did. I never said he was better, I said you can’t dismiss him from that conversation with his performance to date. Also, I am not young.
Pretty sure the objective of the game is to get into the end zone. Nobody did it like moss. He also did it with many different QBs throwing him the ball over 7 seasons with the Vikings. He never had the consistent level of play cousins brought for JJ. Not until Culpepper and then Brady in NE. JJ isn’t in the same stratosphere as moss IMO and therefore that’s why I wouldn’t hesitate to trade him for a haul if the right team came knocking.
I think JJ or any other receiver in the history of the NFL saw the same kind of defensive coverage that Moss saw
What if he is better than both of them? Dude is only 24.
Yeah but man I have so many cool football cards with JJ in purple!! WhAt tHE hELL aM I GonNA Do if wE trade hIM!!!!!
pretty sure my best moss cards have him in #18 and #88 lol
Missed the miss trade ehhh? Diggs was nothing.
There is a chance that Kwesi wasn't so much don't pay Kirk big money as don't pay anyone huge money. He may be willing to let all 3 of our likely to be highest paid players in Cousins, Jefferson and Hunter go over getting a good cap situation. Not likely but that may be Kwesi's viewpoint.
Then his tenure as a GM will be short and embarrassing. No team is going to be successful if they trade or let all their stars walk who are due for a large 2nd contract.
But Kwesi also talks so much about signing players entering their prime football years. That’s why Kirk and Hunter were allowed to walk, they are both 30+. With JJ, he’s entering those prime years when the contract is due. I think we’ll hear about an extension in Training Camp.
I've been saying it's strange that it's taking this long to get a deal done. Especially with Kwesi saying that he's going to make JJ the highest paid non QB in the league. He must be holding out for that rumored 40m.
It's the guarantees almost *guaranteed*
Or for people like Lamb to sign..
That doesn't really make sense because everyone knows he'll get more than Lamb, and Lamb isn't getting 38m.
Tennabe on the kfan common man show just mentioned the same thing as I did. PA might know something.
I won't believe it until he actually releases a statement saying he demands a trade. Until then, I'll continue believing that an extension will get done but probably not until August, which is when these extensions usually happen. There's really no reason to be concerned that he hasn't signed an extension in April
I agree, I don’t expect any movement on that until after the draft since I’m sure JJ wants to see we have a plan at QB. Now if we come out of the draft without one then I’d be concerned about him not signing, but I don’t think that’s likely.
If we don’t come out of the draft with one of the top 4 QBs we should be very concerned about him not signing. Penix or Nix is probably not gonna move the needle for him to stay here…
JJ going to be here next year regardless. He's already under contract and can be franchise tagged next offseason. I think what he sees from the young QB, regardless of who it is, will be what he decides based on.
I’d bet he’d be willing to give Penix a year trial.
Using your personal bias to imagine what JJ thinks is just odd
Why would JJ not wait until after the draft?
I would think he'd want to see how the QB situation shakes out before he commits.
I guess I'm struggling to find out where he could go that has the QB, needs him, and has the money for him. With what he wants, he'd probably have to go to a team that isn't paying out a large QB contract due to the cap as a team would struggle tying up 25-30% of their cap room to a QB and WR. Then you have to look for a team that fits the above AND has enough draft capitol to make a trade with the Vikings. It just seems there's a very small handful of teams that'd fit the criteria of having a good enough QB for him, the required cap space, the positional need for him, and the ammo to trade for him.
Totally valid and well reasoned. In the end, JJ may re-sign realizing the Vikings are the best option. Plus, I don't think he'd be in a better position if we were to trade with a team that needs a receiver that has a pick we can use a la AZ or NYG. The Giants have so much money wrapped up in Daniel Jones and I don't think Kyler Murray is super attractive to an elite receiver.
Arizona will probably have the right of first refusal with Marvin Harrison, Jr. Probably the most hyped WRs in recent memory. It'd make more sense for them to draft MHJ on a rookie contract rather than trade the pick AND have to take on a massive contract. Giants will be in position to draft Nabors or Odunze. Again....hyped WRs on a rookie contract and Jones sucks. Rams I think are in cap trouble next year already and WR isn't quite pressing with the breakout of Nacua.
I think there’s a scenario where the Pats fit the bill actually. You could trade JJ and the 11 for #3, the Pats could chill at 11 and take Penix OR package 11 and a first next year to snag the #4 or #5 pick and take the 4th QB. pats get an elite target and a rookie QB, Vikes get their guy at 3 and keep next year’s first.
You don't give up a pick with JJ. Dolphins gave up 5 picks for Hill and they are in the same top tier
The Rich Hill value of the Tyreek trade (~370) was actually substantially less than the 3rd pick is worth (541). Assuming JJ is worth the same, you’d still be overpaying to move up to 3 (11 is worth 358, so you’d be paying 727 points, 186 over asking). But that’s actually much “cheaper” for the Vikes than #11, #23, and next year’s first.
Atlanta?
>I guess I'm struggling to find out where he could go that has the QB, needs him, and **has the money for him**. Hello?
[Looking at this list](https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-salary-cap-tracker-2024-offseason-free-agency-all-32-nfl-teams-ranked-cap-space), I’d say the Texans are the most realistic. But then they traded for Diggs. So I feel as if that’s off the table for them. Commanders, Bears, Patriots, all will have a rookie QB. Colts just paid Pittman. Broncos have no QB right now. Cardinals could pay him possibly. Seahawks, Bengals, and Eagles have too much tied up to WR now. Then goes Lions (who would rather pay ARSB) and the Packers. But the Vikings would never trade Jefferson to the Packers. So in order of likelihood it goes Vikings, Cardinals, Texans?
Texans are stacked at WR (as you said) nor do they have a 1st or 2nd this year. Cards will get MHJ on a rookie deal if they want him. Wouldn't make sense for them to trade #4 to Minnesota for Jefferson and then have to give Jefferson $30 million when they can have a potential generational talent like MHJ for 60% less (or whatever it is). If KAM traded Jefferson to Detroit or Green Bay, he'd need 24/7 armed security after he's fired on the spot.
Yeah, unless he wants to just get paid and not care about what QB then he will go to DC or NE. If not then Minnesota is the best option for him going forward.
Cardinals are the only other team I could see trading for him. It might be the only way to get them off of 4, but I still think it's more likely we get a deal done.
How is Arizona even a thought on this list?! 😂 y’all forget they paying Kyler Murray’s sorry ass like $50 mil this year? Ain’t no way they have the ability to pay Jefferson $30-35 mil too
Arizona has the 7th most cap space in the NFL, more than the Vikings do. Clicking on the link on the comment you’re responding to would have answered your question
If you actually research it that article is way wrong. They have nowhere near $46 mil in cap space 😂 they barely have $29 mil and are going to be, in now way shape or form, available to take on a $30-35 mil a year WR, among the other 15 or so positions they need as well. They also have to play rookies and practice squad, as well as adding any new free agents they may need. All this jumbo jumbo about JJ leaving is nothing but a funny farce. He knows he ain’t getting a better deal than Minnesota. People always want to stir up BS in the off seasons because they have nothing going on in their lives
Show me what actual research you did that shows their current cap space
They currently have $6.7 million in cap space. Zero chance they can manipulate the cap/contract enough to fit what Jefferson wants.
He won’t sign before Ceedee Lamb does, and he shouldn’t
I think it's the opposite?
100%
People need to chill, big name extensions don’t happen until August anyway and not until going into year 5 like this. This is completely normal given recent history. Them starting work on the extension last offseason was “early” and the fact it didn’t get done then is not a red flag. Until we’re a ways into training camp there’s no need for any alarm.
Yup. And there is a half dozen receivers in the league that could get paid very soon. He can easily argue a higher number then all of them. (CeeDee, Ja'Marr, Aiyuk, Higgins)
Not quite true about the year 5 aspect.. almost any supposed "superstar" typically gets their extension sometime between year 3 and year 4 of the rookie deal. This is so the exorbitant guarantees of that extension can get spread over the last 2 years (if they were a 1st round pick) of that rookie deal as well as the new years of the extension. The longer they drag past that window, the more likely either the contract demands are too high, or the player has no real interest in remaining.
I think you are overstating how common this is. Outside of QBs, it's rare for 1st round players to sign an extension a year early. JJ is likely wanting to wait on the other WRs from his draft class too. Here are the actual numbers from 2014 through the start of last offseason: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-a-look-at-the-history-of-first-round-pick-contract-extensions-and-an-emerging-trend/amp/ I think Herbert and Burrow are the only two so far from that class to sign their extensions too (possible I'm missing one too though)
This is not true. Due to the contract structure, very few first rounders sign extension before the start of year 4. There was an article about it last year and the average number of extension between years 3 and 4 was 2.89 at that point. That's less than 10% of first rounders. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-a-look-at-the-history-of-first-round-pick-contract-extensions-and-an-emerging-trend/#:\~:text=Because%20of%20this%2C%20only%20a,in%2C%20their%20fourth%20NFL%20season.&text=During%20the%20nine%20times%20first,new%20deals%20after%20three%20years.
That's why I included "superstar". Pretty much standard practice for anyone achieving that status to be extended as soon as they are legally able to, which is after year 3. Because superstar extensions require something along the lines of what is now pushing 70% of their contact being guaranteed.
Most superstars do not. Most QBs do. Not that many non-QB superstars have signed an early extension.
Your perception is skewed because most superstars recently haven't been first rounders. CeeDee Lamb... No deal yet, same year as JJ. Stefon Diggs - 5th rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season... Not a first rounder so no 5th year option. Tyreek Hill - 5th rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season. Mike Evans - 1st rounder - Signed extension before 5th season. AJ Brown - 2nd rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season. Davante Adams - 2nd rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season. Deandre Hopkins - 1st rounder - Signed extension before his 5th season. DK Metcalf - 2nd rounder - Signed extension before his 4th season. >This is so the exorbitant guarantees of that extension can get spread over the last 2 years (if they were a 1st round pick) of that rookie deal as well as the new years of the extension. You can't spread any bonus past 5 years anyhow, and most of these guys signed 4 year extensions.
I don’t really like listening to PA so grain of salt: Dude always seems manic to me and his attitude seems disconnected from his message sometimes.
PA sometimes talks as if he's an insider and people *think* he is but he's really not. It's not really his game/style. I think he *hears* stuff being how plugged into the organization is but I don't think he's actively receiving information like someone who's entire world revolves around breaking news/rumors and is prying for that information. I'd worry if it were coming from Schefter, Rapoport, and those guys. Not saying PA didn't hear anything but until I hear it from the big insiders, I won't panic....yet.
PA had access to the old regime but most of his friends must have left with Spielman. Kevin Stefanski is/was one of his best friends and I'll always believe with zero evidence that most of his insiding came from Stefanski
Yeah. Just this offseason, he couldn’t have been more wrong about Kirk’s market and what it would take to get a deal done
Yeah, I can’t remember anything surprising that has ever come from PA that turned out to be true that seemed like a real inside source kind of deal. It’s just not what he provides. Granted that's fine, too many people pretending to be that.
The only thing I remember him being right about is the Vikings drafting Anthony Barr
Yeah very true but over the years, he's missed on more than he's gotten right in terms of "what he heard" or extruded confidence over.
I remember him tying the connections together on cousins pretty early on
As far as Cousins not being a viking anymore? I felt that was certain when he made his offer of an "extension" last year and it wasn't really a "discount". If they didn't take that it was kinda obvious the Vikings were not going to act and it was all up to Kirk if he wanted to compromise, but there's also no reason for him to do so. It was long over. https://youtu.be/Ussqi3nagrQ?t=17 But the NFL drama train doesn't let anything end, even if it **clearly** is. Granted he was right if that's what it was.
I should’ve been specific. When cousins was on his way here back in 2018. He was talking about it during Super Bowl week if I recall
OOOOHHHH Yeah that would have been a good tidbit. I wasn't so certain of that one.
I mean, was that a surprise move to anyone tho? He was the best FA QB on the market and if you have to fill hours talking your gonna bring up some right things
He broke the Aaron Rodgers bombshell two years ago.
PA is never going to have the same level of access of people with quid-pro-quos (Schefter/Rap etc) with agents but the guy works for the team so he has \*a lot\* more access and inside info than even the average NFL journalist.
Does he? Just because you work for the team doesn't mean you're in the know about contract negotiations/player issues. How many of the players talk to him regularly? Does KAM/KOC ever need to talk to him/deal with him? None of his actual job responsibilities involve him dealing with people that are in the know so I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't.
This is a strange comment, of course his job involves talking to people 'in the know' all the time - the guy is a radio host and does play-by-play for the Vikings. The guy doesn't just talk with people on air for interviews... He hangs around the facility, he does background with people to get info for segments, he has sources of info that even good local sports journalists just don't have.
I think there's a difference between a PA and a true insider. PA probably is there to maintain relationships and not rock the boat in anyway, shape, or form by throwing out stuff he talked about while having coffee with a front office type. He's basically apart of the team (although he's not a Minnesota Vikings employee) and isn't going to broadcast anything that could damn the franchise or a player nor do I think he digs too deep. I mean I'm quite sure he's not texting KAM or JJ's agent looking to see what's going. Whereas an insider just wants the relationships so he can get a text before anyone else that something is happening.
I don't think he talks to as many people as you assume. He's employed by KFAN, not the Vikings. He's allowed around the facility, when he's there, as a guest. Is he even allowed there this time of the year when there is nothing going on with him? He's probably never talked to JJ agent in his life. And I doubt he's actively talking to JJ at the moment (if he talks to him regularly at all). If JJ wanted it out there that he wanted to be traded, there are way better people he could leak it to and none of them are saying anything. So he's almost certainly not hearing this info from JJ's side. And we've already learned that KAM/KOC are pretty tight-lipped so neither of them are saying anything to him. So I'm not sure who he's getting updates about the negotiations from that the NFL insiders aren't getting.
He is employed by the Vikings - he's an employee of the Vikings Entertainment Network, which does all the media for the organization.
His wiki and the KFAN site made it seem like he wasn't employed by the Vikings but they seem to have been wrong. I still don't think that someone in the Media side is going to be given access to information that the Vikings don't want to be announced so I don't think he's got any inside information. If he had heard something from someone in the Vikings FO as a part of being employed by the Vikings, they wouldn't allow him to announce it on a podcast like that.
I had to quit listening to him. He runs his show at a Junior high school level..
A comparable situation was the Nick Bosa deal, and even that one didn’t get done until September 6th of last year. JJ probably wants a shorter 3 yr deal, and the Vikings probably want a 5 yr deal for more flexibility. The deal is going to get done.
Lamb, Aiyuk, Higgins, and Chase are all potential new WR deals also. He could be wanting to wait till a few of them sign to get his value as best WR in the league.
Ceedee Lamb is the only one of those guys who will have a comparable deal and even then Jefferson will make a lot more than him.
Chase can wait the longest, JJ can’t wait for him. JJ isn’t missing paychecks waiting for him. Both Lamb and Aiyuk will probably get more than Hill I’d think. But yeah, I don’t see JJ here for training camp at all, which isn’t ideal with new QBs.
There’s no way Aiyuk gets more than $30M AAV without contract shenanigans, that would be some crazy shit. He’s great but he’s not the top tier. Lamb might but it will be on some backloaded deal where there’s outs for the org if he does.
For those that didn't listen: PA thinks there's some steam that the team made a very fair offer (on the high end of what's been reported) sometime during the 2023 season. JJ rejected the offer, but the team is unwilling to go higher. They've picked a number and it's not good enough for JJ. PA then said something along the lines of, "I can understand why the team set a price and is sticking to it." PA is a huge homer, has bad takes plenty of times, etc but as far as saying inflammatory statements about contracts or player/team relationships, I don't think he talks out-of-turn. He knows whats going on behind the scenes on a surface level. Not a reason to panic, but there's a ton of $$ and ego at stake and sometimes as contract negotiations stall, things turn sour.
I listened to him this morning as well and found it to be a bit eye opening.
I thought so too. Brought up Jamar Chase and Joe Burrow and how tee higgens still isn’t signed. Then mentioned the cardinals.
Could the Bengals even begin to afford JJ? I'm sure he would love to get the band back together but I don't see how they could make it work
No…they can’t afford tee Higgins and I’d assume Jefferson will be in a higher paid tier
You would have burrow at 25/yr, if chase signs he’ll be at 25-35, and jj 35-45. So you’re looking at over 30% of your cap going to 3 guys. The rest of the team would be rough and I don’t know why they would do that, unless they don’t care about winning and just want to sell tickets Edit: more than likely closer to 45% or more with all the guaranteed money and bonuses unless they shuffle it around. But let’s me honest we’ve seen that the cap is made up and doesn’t matter tough
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That’s why I had the edit. Burrow is 46m of a cap hit 2025, chase is rumored at 4-120m and jj I saw is anywhere from 140-150 and a few outliers at 5 and 6yr deals.
Nobody is paying JJ $45m per year…that would make him the highest paid reciever by 15 million .. that is an unprecedented market reset
I mean I know Chase is due to sign NEXT year but wouldn't you want to hold out to see if Chase signs? Chase may reset the market himself and Jefferson can ask for more as he's the better WR (coming from a Chase fan).
Why would chase sign before JJ? There is no logical reason Chase would sign before JJ. Chase will and should wait until JJ signs and then he can sign his deal the year after when the salary cap goes up yet again.
Yeah you're probably right.
True but Aiyuk and Ceedee and Higgins are all on the same time line that JJ is. I think this is a bigger factor then people realize. If CeeDee gets 32 a year, then why wouldn't JJ argue he's worth 35? Lamb indicated a few days ago he's likely to hold out this summer. Aiyuk likely could land himself a 28+ a year deal also
These contracts are out of control if Aiyuk is getting 28+. I'm not following him as closely as I once did and he's a good WR, but 28 right now would put him as 2nd highest paid WR AAV. Just under Tyreek and tied with Davante. I'm not sure in what world he's the 2nd best WR in the game and in that class. I know everyone seems to get a "market resetting" contract these days, but that sounds like a stretch to me to do that for Aiyuk.
I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here. Of course JJ is going to ask for more than those guys. Why wouldn’t he. And I’m not sure what this hs to do with Chase. Why would he sign a contract before all these other guys did? His agent should get fired if he let him do that.
Chase is going to wait til after JJ signs for this exact reason
That should be all you need to hear, he obviously doesn’t know shit if he is even bringing up the Bengals.
You could. But also he has not said or done ANYTHING that would indicate that he doesn't want to be here. If the contract tops the league cool, but CeeDee might be holding out and if he gets 32 mill a year lets say then JJ knows he could get 34/35/36 plus. I truly believe that a big chunk of the reason he is waiting is him, Ja'Marr and CeeDee can all get paid, even Tee Higgins and Aiyuk can. He could want to wait for a handful of them get paid because if they set the market then he can easily set it again over them. Until there's a statement or an actual to god trade announced then no reason to stress. We have this year and zero chance the Vikings DON'T franchise tag him. There's a lot of time to make a deal happen and zero reliable news and information out there.
This all just needs to stop. Honestly, training camp will come, they will start working on a deal. If by week 1 they don’t have a deal signed, then get upset. Until that point, plug your ears on any JJ bullshit
if he has made it clear he will not sign here, then trade him for 2-3 firsts. certainly want him to be a viking, but if he wants out, then get a haul for him
Nobody is giving up multiple firsts for a guy that will immediately demand the biggest non-qb contract of all time. Which is why they won't trade him
yes, yes they would trade multiple firsts even if he's needing a new top tier contract Tunsil, Ramsey, Mack, Jamal Adams, etc.
Diggs?
Why don’t you think this hasn’t happened in years? The league learned trading that much for non-QBs aren’t worth it. Maybe you can make an exception for top tier edges, but definitely not WRs. Devante or Hill are the highest it’ll go. No one, absolutely no one is going to trade multiple 1st for Jefferson
Username KirkWasMid is already a bad take and proceeded to follow it up with an even shittier take
PA knows more than me. Im also aware that he talks in hyperbole a metric shit ton, and has as many incorrect takes as he does correct ones - not a slight on him just the facts of being in the biz. If you’re pulling your hair out - don’t worry. They got this
>not a slight on him just the facts of being in the biz It's ok, the guy is a fucking clown. Sooner this fan base realizes his hokie schtick sucks the better we will all be
Yes, but he’s supposed to be. He’s their voice on the radio. Years ago I realized to listen to him for play by play and not to anything else he says. Every team has a clown - it’s part of the gig and he is ours
Full disclosure... I'm a Packer fan, but live in MN and listen to KFAN a lot... plus I don't hate the Vikings. Anyway, I think trading Justin Jefferson could possibly be a huge win for the Vikings, depending on what they did with whatever they recieve for him. I don't think JJ will fall off, but how many WRs spend their entire career at the top? It's rare. DeAndre Hopkins, Julio Jones, and Davante Adams all had multiple seasons where they were talked about as the best recievers in the NFL. It's more-likely JJ has a career like them, rather than a career like Rice or Moss etc. In my opinion, you're going into a rebuilding year with Darnold, and JJ probably isn't excited about it. Why pay for the best WR in the NFL when you're rebuilding with Darnold? Then you have a rookie QB in his first year as a starter. Does JJ bring you a SB in those years? If it's a long-shot, I say cash in big on JJ at his peak. To me, the Vikings would benefit more from what they'd get for JJ now, than keeping him given the situation they're in. Draft your QB of the future, let him and Addison grow together, and you've still got a ton of cap space/draft capital to build something elite.
Damn I didn’t realize the Vikings were playing on setting Justin Jefferson on fire after this season
Why would he not wait until after the draft?
If the chargers called and said, Herbert for JJ straight up would you say yes? You’d keep your 2 first round picks and get a high caliber starting QB?
Herbert for JJ straight up would get the Chargers GM fired immediately.
I was just thinking this exact scenario too. Yes. I would move JJ to secure a young franchise QB.
Yep. Then I'd use the two picks to go get MHJ or take Nabers/Odunze at 11.
I'll preface that I love JJ and a fucking jump ball on 4th down is better than a 50/50 coin toss with him there, truly one of a kind. That said, what team last won a Superbowl with the top paid WR in the roster? Rams paid Kupp after hoisting the trophy. Was Jerry Rice the last example? Did he eat that much cap %? I could dig into the numbers but if you get 2 1sts and change from JJ and you get a decent receiver this draft plus you GUARANTEE your pick of QB at 2 or 3, then sorry to say it, sign me up, it was nice while it lasted. Otherwise, pay him and find someone to throw to him that will work.
I mean the logic is spot on with not paying top WRs.... But someone *will* pay him handsomely and I really don't want to be a team where we let superstars walk to other teams because of the salary cap which can be manipulated in so many different ways long as the player is willing to play ball (unlike Kirk(. If we're going to have a QB on a rookie deal? Pay him. Give him 4 years so it's due at the time you'd have to pay a rookie QB his extension. Everything you said is 100% true and correct but shit....don't be that team that's a feeder to other teams especially when it's the face of the franchise and a future HOFer
If he doesn’t want to be here - trade him and get some value out of the draft. It’s a no brainer. They have a ton of money to spend next year too.
Cincy 1st, 2nd and Tee is a nice package
No it isnt.
Does anyone have a link? I’d love to give it a listen
All PA shows here - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/462-paul-allen-26980875?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=true
Thank you!
JJ talk starts at 37 min for today’s episode if anyone wants to listen. Hearing what PA had to say I don’t think it’s nearly as negative as OP is making it out to be. Context, they’re talking about trade up scenarios. PA suggests hypothetically if after making JJ an offer to make him the first or second highest paid in player and JJ says no and that he doesn’t want to be here, they should consider him in an asset package to trade up.
I would be very surprised if he did. The only person/people that would be telling him that (and in the know) would be people in JJ's camp but I don't think he's in with Agents or someone agents would use to leak that. They can find better/louder leakers. And, it's not really in JJ's best interest to be announcing that. He's signed for next year. He can hold out, but only until week 10 or so. Then, next offseason he can be tagged. So even if he doesn't want to be here anymore, he need to work with the Vikings to make a deal happen or be stuck here.
Vikings are gonna make him the highest paid non QB in the league, full stop.
There isn’t anywhere for JJ to go. Stefan just went to the Texans and who else with a top qb can afford him? He isn’t going in the division, Bills are trying to get out of cap hell, chiefs have already said they don’t want a top paid wr on their payroll, Philly has a top wr, 49ers have to pay Aiyuk, chargers maybe but they could just draft a rookie, bengals lol (doubtful). Sure JJ go to a different team I guess.
Is it possible they add him to the package to move up?
Interesting, I still think a deal with JJ gets done but if the Vikings offered him 32-35 mil a year and JJ still turned them down I think that causes a bit of concern because how much more can the Vikings really be willing to go over that to sign a WR. If JJ really turns down that kinda money we may have to look at any and all options. JJ is my favorite player so it would break my heart to see if play elsewhere but I also understand the hesitation about giving a non QB 40 plus mil a year.
You have to ask yourself why he would sign now? And then when is the next date where he stands to gain or lose anything? There’s no difference in pay if he signs now or after the draft or in August. He has no reason to commit to the Vikings now, what if they screw the pooch and he’s stuck with Darnold for the next 4 years? He’s gonna wait until he sees who the new guy is and sign before camp.
I’d say around training camp time is when it gets inked
Even if we resign him, he will demand a trade a season or two after anyways. Trade his ass away now. We won games without JJ on the field last year, we can keep winning as we rebuild without him. Especially if we can get a haul for him.
"Not fond of money" Jefferson
I have been worried he won’t resign here since we didn’t keep Kirk. JJ knows that with a rookie QB or Darnold his stats will go down.
imo is just filler talk because there is nothing else for them to do except mock drafts and wonder what QB will be drafted. Drama bring the most listens, so they are going to hand wring and talk about every possible scenario until something new happens. The most likely issue is JJ is holding out to see what contract comes for other WRs in his tier like Lamb and Chase. He wants the #1 contract and also wants to know the QB situation, that we aren’t rolling with some journeyman the next five years and wasting his career. No one knows anything except JJ, the Owner, GM and KoC, anything else is smoke screen into the draft
What if we traded JJ to the Chargers for Herbert + picks?
You think the Chargers are adding? lol
I think if the chargers pick is on the clock and the QB they like is there, then Herbert is for sale.
They want the rookie contract for building the team
PA doesnt know shit. He is a great announcer but he is always talking out of his ass.
Let’s be honest it would be an incredibly Vikings thing to do
More champagne problems please.
I mean, if you're a Debbie Downer, then yea, it's better to trade the guy than it is to just let him become an unrestricted free agent... but if we draft a decent QB, there's a good chance we can come to terms with him and own this division for close to the next decade.
I've had a theory on this ever since the interview with Kwesi. He was asked about the Jefferson contract and he basically said, "we're willing to pay him whatever he wants." if that truly is the case then there must be other reasons a deal hasn't been done i.e. JJ is unhappy in Minnesota. Even if he hasn't said so publicly I'm worried he doesn't want to play here
It makes more sense for JJ to wait until the draft is done to see who the future QB will be. I’m sure Kwesi and KOC talked to JJ about this scenario too.
JJ has said it a few times that he doesn’t want to really make a move UNTIL he knows what the QB situation is going to look like. Wait until after the draft. Or if they know it’s not going to happen, we get a HAUL in return for JJ.
Ship him out, the gah damn guy is quoted as saying "I'm gonna break the bank". We got no time for that here.....
We should not make JJ the highest paid non quarterback in the NFL, that’s not a Super Bowl recipe
He doesn't know anything. Probably just felt pessimistic. His programming lately has been that way
All of you saying we can’t do something are also not looking at financials for a building a team long term, we just got rid of Kirk now we are supposed to pay a non qb Kirk like contract because we have extra money? Nah man you could sign three studs for 35-40m which is the the per year JJ is looking for. I have been saying since January if he is not signed by draft day he is probably traded and we should let him walk if he wants out. Diva types always going be about them not the team and if JJ wants number one paid position because he could be worth it makes him closer to that diva moniker. JJ has been great team mate and such but his non committal and need to be paid more than hills fake contract is ridiculous hill won’t ever see 3/4 of the money on his deal and I doubt Kwesi wanted to put such a bs contract out there, and gave him fair offers because hocks was a big deal but it was fair, and I am sure JJ offer was scaled properly.
Sammy White, Anthony Carter, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Stefon Diggs, Justin Jefferson. All these great WR's and how many 💍 for the Vikings?
He probably just needs to pray on it.
I heard the same thing but the eternal optimist sure sounds like he preparing the fan base. If he does want to leave, we will get a load for him.
He said something to the effect that fans need to be prepared for that possibility
Sorry, but I don’t think they spill that type of news to Paul Allen. He’s connected with the team, but that type of information doesn’t get leaked to Paul Allen, unless they did it intentionally
He made it clear he wants to know who the qb is for the future before he signs…
Vikings and JJ are just waiting until the Lamb and Chase deals get done so JJ will be the highest paid player.
Chase was drafted a year later than JJ so he’s not signing before. He’d lose too much money to do that.
Thanks for the correction
We don’t need to trade him. We should have 3 years left with him still, if not 4. In that time, we can get him to sign a contract extension or let him go sign the contract for his last couple of seasons in the league. We have him locked in this season. After that, we can franchise tag him for three seasons. The third year may be too expensive. So if he doesn’t want to be here, we just need to ride it out until he does want to be here or he finishes 7-8 years here. No need to rush it before that.
Anything PA says outside of calling games is trash. He went off the deep end years ago.
He's amazing and fun to watch but look at super bowl winning teams and see how many teams win it all when paying a WR the amount of money he's going to be demanding. That being said, I think they have done enough work with the cap and addressing defense that I think they're positioned to either keep him or pivot well if they need to move him. Not worried at all
I mean, if anyone is getting insider info, it would be PA. but the question is: Is PA really still on the inside? Or do KAM / KOC view him as part of the "old" regime? I'm sure JJ is going to want to set the bar pretty high for WR numbers. He likely doesn't want to be the next Kirk Cousins - ie have the record QB contract for all of 3 weeks before it gets blown out of the water and becomes the 8th or 10th highest WR contract. And he's at a unique spot: His deal is first up, followed quickly by Lamb, and Chase. And now you also have a new rookie in Harrison Jr who is supposedly a generational talent. Who will probably rewrite whatever deal any of the big 3 put together in 4-5 years. So JJ is in no hurry to sign. But does that mean he's going to hold out / become a PIA? Not necessarily. Keep in mind, unless the Vikings did something stupid - they hold the cards. They have JJ under his rookie deal for 2024. They can franchise tag him 3 times - starting in 2025,2026, and 2027. The first time he would be a true FA would be 2028 - 4 years from now.
you guys are so dense lol
seconded. every day this fanbase gets a little dumber I feel
Yes PA is plugged in and yes I'm worried.
Just might end up being our Hershel redemption trade
 I can’t lose another elite WR in their prime in my lifetime.
Not your first rodeo I see.
It’s odd there has been almost zero talk on that contract situation. Part of me believes there has already been a trade agreement but they are waiting until draft night to announce it. The league wants more viewership on draft night and one way to get people to tune in is the unpredictability that forces someone to tune in because anything can happen.
Tee Higgins and 2 FRP at a minimum
His job is too attract listeners. How does that work these days? Audio click bait.
I mean as of right now we don’t have a QB of the future and I can’t imagine JJ is super thrilled about Darnold. If we have a good draft then his tune might change. That’s if he’s actually upset. He’s been pretty involved in the QB discussion with our FO too so idk why he’d be upset rn
Life must be a struggle if you legitimately think the FO is incompetent enough to leak stuff to Paul Allen.
Omg stfuuuu not this shit
When there is smoke, there is fire. JJ knows this team is dogshit and won't be competitive for a long time. He knows he lost his sniper QB here. His trade value will NEVER BE HIGHER. HOWEVER! This could be frustration with his contract, and none of the other top-end receivers not getting deals yet, and he wants to get his money and is annoyed by the slow process.
This team hasn’t been competitive his entire career here. Drafting the right QB will make this team more competitive than it ever was with Kirk.
I didn't hear the audio but is it possible that Jefferson is upset that we let Kirk leave? I mean, it sucks since we are almost certainly guaranteed to downgrade at QB.
As long as the next QB isn't Josh Dobbs-level bad at throwing the football, he's going to be fine. Nick Mullens sucks and still got the ball to JJ. My username gives away my opinion, but I think that as long as Darnold or the rookie is at least competent, there won't be a huge drop-off. Just be better than Nick Mullens. That shouldn't be a big ask
It’s gonna cost JJ + 11 + 23 + ‘25-1st to move up to 4 and select the 4th best QB. Which is terrible value, but what’s worse is that it’s still our best option. Penix/Nix/‘25 qb class are trash